Reviving the Spirit of a Legendary Place

In 1887, Colonel E.H. Taylor Jr. established the Old Taylor Distillery with a radical idea for its time. Distilleries were functional, industrial places often closed to the public. Taylor believed it could be something more. As the pioneer of bourbon hospitality, he envisioned his distillery as a premier bourbon destination.

Inspired by his travels through Europe, he built not just a distillery, but an experience. A Scottish-style castle rose from the Kentucky River valley. Sunken gardens invited guests to linger. A springhouse, inspired by Roman bathhouses, was constructed in the shape of a key because Taylor believed the limestone water flowing beneath it was the “key to great bourbon.”

Guests were welcomed onto the property through an exclusive rail line, where they were greeted with lavish parties and, of course, his world-famous spirits, which he credited as the “sign of a good host.”

In doing so, Taylor didn’t just change how bourbon was made. He changed how it was shared. Bourbon tourism, and bourbon hospitality itself, were born here.

After Taylor’s death, the distillery fell silent. The castle crumbled. The gardens were overtaken. For decades, the property stood forgotten. Its story paused.

In 2012, co-founder Will Arvin and a small group of visionaries discovered the abandoned distillery. Where others saw decay, they saw possibility. Stepping onto the grounds, Will recognized more than a restoration project. He saw a philosophy worth reviving.

Over the next four years, the team undertook a meticulous restoration of the property. Wherever possible, original wood, brick, and metal were preserved, honoring the site’s honest craftsmanship. Historic integrity was paired with bold imagination, bringing the Castle and its grounds back to life with an eye toward innovation and sustainability.

The team didn’t just restore the distillery. They revived its spirit. Guided by Colonel Taylor’s tradition of bourbon hospitality, Castle & Key invites guests to tour the grounds, explore the gardens, enjoy a cocktail, and linger in a setting designed for connection.

Today, Castle & Key carries forward both our site’s legacy and Will’s vision, honoring tradition without being bound by it. That same mindset shapes how we build for the future, working thoughtfully with the land, the community, and the resources around us.

Every spirit we produce is made on site, slowly and intentionally. Nothing is left to chance. From distilling and aging to blending and packaging, every step of the process is meticulously woven with passion, precision, and imagination. We source our grains from farms throughout Kentucky, keeping our process close to home and deeply connected to the people and places that surround us. Every detail, from the revival of the Castle to the design of the bottle, is an invitation toward our shared purpose—to bring people together.